Very rare J.R.R. Tolkien first edition, early printing set of “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. London: George Allen & Unwin Ltd., 1954 & 1955. All three are in extraordinarily near fine condition for both the books and their original dust jackets. ”The Fellowship of the Ring” is a Tolkien first edition, first printing (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1954) with map attached to rear flyleaf. Publisher’s red cloth with gilt spine titles. With signature mark ”4” at the bottom of page 49. Original dust jacket priced ”21s net”. ”The Two Towers” is a Tolkien first edition, second printing (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1954) with map attached to rear flyleaf. Publisher’s red cloth with gilt spine titles. Original dust jacket priced ”21s net”. ”The Return of the King” is a Tolkien first edition, first printing (London: George Allen & Unwin, 1955) with map attached to rear flyleaf. Signature mark ”4” present on page 49, and all lines of type sag in the middle. Publisher’s red cloth with gilt spine titles. Original dust jacket priced ”21s net”. All measure 5.75” x 9” with top edges red. A beautiful set with only minor edge wear, toning to endpapers and very light wear to jackets. One of the nicest ”Lord of the Rings” sets available. Excellent Tolkien first edition examples. J.R.R. Tolkien first edition set sold for $15,000 in July 2017.

J.R.R. Tolkien signed copy of “Tree and Leaf”, his collection of children’s stories written in 1964. Tolkien signs to the title page, “J.R.R. Tolkien” and also inscribes “for Fay Darrington”. Fourth printing of the paperback edition is published by Unwin Books: London: 1970, and features an illustration of the tree to its yellow, black and white cover. Runs 91pp. and measures 4.75″ x 7.25″. Light wear and toning, else near fine. With PSA/DNA COA. Not a Tolkien first edition but a rare signed Tolkien book. Sold for $2,916.58.

J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” — Complete Three Volume Hardcover Set — J.R.R. Tolkien First Edition Copies from the U.K. With Original Dustjackets — 1954, 1955

Complete three volume 1st edition set of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.” London: George Allen & Unwin: 1955, 1954, and 1955. 1st UK editions. Hardcovers. “The Fellowship of the Ring,” 4th impression published November 1955. “The Two Towers,” 1st impression published November 1954. One of 2250 printed for the UK. “The Return of the King,” 1st impression published October 1955. This copy is the 1st State, as per Hammon & Anderson, with the signature mark ‘4’ and having the slipped type on page 49. All in the original publisher’s dustjackets not price clipped and as issued with these copies. “Fellowship” dustjacket shows soiling to front panel. All books are free from any ownership signatures. underlining or annotations. All jackets are unrestored and show well. All maps at rear present and as called for. Strong red top stain to all volumes though “Two Towers” shows a small spot of slight discoloration. Octavo volumes run 423pp., 351pp. and 416pp. respectively. An exceptional set in very good condition. Excellent Tolkien first edition set. Sold $2,912.70.

J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” — Complete Three Volume Hardcover Set — Tolkien First Edition Examples in the U.K. With Original Dustjackets — 1954, 1955

J.R.R. Tolkien First Edition, First Printing of “The Fellowship of the Ring” — The First & Scarcest Volume in Tolkien’s Trilogy

Extraordinary J.R.R. Tolkien first edition, first printing copy of “The Fellowship of the Ring,” his first in the Lord of the Rings trilogy and the most difficult to acquire as a first printing. Published by George Allen & Unwin: London: 1954. Volume is in very good condition, somewhat better than other first edition copies. Boards and top edge have retained the publisher’s deep red color, with only light discoloration to the bottom of the spine and corner of front board. Some toning to endpapers and front hinge starting ever so slightly. Fold-out map present and in fine condition. Enfolded in a facsimile first edition dustjacket, book measures 6″ x 9″ and runs 423 pages. Stellar Tolkien first edition. Sold for $2,755.90.

First Edition, First Printing of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Fellowship of the Ring” — The First & Scarcest Volume in Tolkien’s Trilogy

J.R.R. Tolkien autograph letter signed. Dated 11 May 1966, letter referring to the piracy of his wildy successful “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” reads, “Dear Mr. Walker, I did receive the tape that you sent to me on 13th July, not the 3rd July, 1965. I regret not having acknowledged receipt, but it arrived just as I was becoming heavily involved in the business of combating ‘piracy’ in the United States, which occupied me most of the remainder of last year. I am afraid it has been wasted on me because I have not now got a recorder and am far too busy to deal with any such matters. If you think of going further with your settings, either making public use of your tapes or considering publication of the music please consult Messrs. Allen & Unwin, 40 Museum Street, W.C.1. I return your tape herewith with regrets that I am not able to make any proper return for your interest in my work. Yours sincerely, [J.R.R. Tolkien]”. Single-page letter on a sheet of Tolkien’s blind-stamped personal stationery measures 7″ x 9″. Toning, creasing and minor foxing. Very good. Sold for $1,944.37.